East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania Women's Track

Koch works primarily with the Warriors' mid-distance and distance runners, while Merli handles the sprints, hurdles and jumps. Koch's athletes have enjoyed a tremendous amount of success over the past three decades. The track and field program has produced 61 All-America awards (32 men, 29 women) among 30 athletes since 1990. A total of 20 athletes have earned multiple All-America citations, including high jumpers Lynn Mayer, a 2011 graduate who was a six-time All-American, and four-time All-America high jumpers Karen (Way) Gaita, the 1991 NCAA Division II outdoor champion, and Christina O'Connor, a 2015 graduate. At the conference level, the Warriors have won 131 individual PSAC championships (78 men, 53 women) and 20 relay titles (13 men, 7 women) since 1990. The men's program has been PSAC runner-up in seven of the last 16 conference championships - 2009 outdoors, 2010 indoors/outdoors, 2011 outdoors, 2013 indoors and 2014 indoors/outdoors. Koch was named the PSAC and USTFCCCA Atlantic Region Coach of the Year following the 2009 outdoor season. Koch was also chosen as the NCAA Women's Regional Coach of the Year and ECAC Co-Women's Coach of the Year in 2001. He was the ECAC Men's Coach of the Year in 1990 when his squad won the ECAC indoor championships. In cross country, Koch has received the ECAC Women's Coach of the Year in 1995 and PSAC Coach of the Year in 1994. He has sent 20 individual runners and three teams, the 1989 and 2012 men and 1999 women, to the NCAA Division II Championships and Jan Blake (1996), Tina Vosper (1998), Vanessa Andes (2003-04), Mascoli (2010) and Frank Fezza (2012) have been All-Americans. The Hackensack, N.J. native ran track and field and cross country for four years at the University of Delaware and was captain of the Blue Hens' cross country team as a senior in 1979. Koch lives in East Stroudsburg with his wife Deborah, son Matthew Edward (20) and daughter Kristen Joann (18). 2016 outdoor - Travis Toth (Hammer) 2016 indoor - William Berry (HJ), Travis Toth (Weight) 2015 outdoor - William Berry (HJ) 2014 outdoor - Travis Toth (Hammer) 2014 indoor - Seth Bailey (HJ) 2013 outdoor - Matt Tholis (Javelin), Josh Hontz (Javelin) 2012 outdoor - Matt Tholis (Javelin), Dan Johnson (Decathlon) 2011 outdoor - Josh Hontz (Javelin) 2011 indoor - Negus Graham (400) 2010 outdoor - Negus Graham (400), Paul Wagner (Hammer), 4x100m Relay 2010 indoor - Negus Graham (400) 2009 outdoor - Paul Wagner (Hammer) 2009 indoor - Rusty Smith (60H) 2008 outdoor - Iuri Pinto (1500) 2008 indoor - Rusty Smith (60H) 2004 outdoor - Dan Gale (Javelin) 2003 outdoor - Barry Krammes (Javelin) 2003 indoor - Mike Newhard (HJ) 2002 outdoor - Barry Krammes (Javelin) 2002 indoor - Mike Newhard (HJ) 1998 indoor - Rob Stone (LJ) 1996 indoor - Rob Stone (LJ) 1994 indoor - Rob Stone (LJ) 1992 outdoor - Lance Branyan (Javelin), Al Yackenchick (Javelin) 1991 indoor - Martin Brans (1500) 1990 indoor - Martin Brans (1500) 2015 outdoor - Christina O'Connor (HJ) 2015 indoor - Christina O'Connor (HJ) 2014 outdoor - Christina O'Connor (HJ) 2013 indoor - Christina O'Connor (HJ) 2011 outdoor - Rose Mascoli (5,000; 10,000), Lynn Mayer (HJ) 2011 indoor - Lynn Mayer (HJ) 2010 outdoor - Lynn Mayer (HJ) 2010 indoor - Lynn Mayer (HJ) 2008 outdoor - Lynn Mayer (HJ) 2008 indoor - Lynn Mayer (HJ) 2007 outdoor - Leslie Martin (Hept) 2007 indoor - Leslie Martin (HJ) 2005 outdoor - Vanessa Andes (10,000) 2001 outdoor - Jenn Grube (Javelin), Quanette Jester (TJ) 2001 indoor - Shavanna Ross (HJ) 2000 outdoor - Jenn Grube (Javelin) 1999 outdoor - Tina Vosper (10,000), Jenelle Strine (Hammer) 1999 indoor - Tina Vosper (5,000) 1997 indoor - Jane Blake (mile) 1996 outdoor - Jan Blake (1500) 1995 outdoor - Jan Blake (1500) 1993 outdoor - Jenn Moyer (10,000) 1991 outdoor - Karen Way (HJ) 1991 indoor - Karen Way (HJ) 1990 outdoor - Karen Way (HJ) 1990 indoor - Jenn Moyer (3,000) 2012 - Frank Fezza 2010 - Rose Mascoli 2004 - Vanessa Andes 2003 - Vanessa Andes 1998 - Tina Vosper 1996 - Jan Blake (active T&F/XC coaches) (entering 2016-17)   t-1. Joe Koch

Merli was named the USTFCCCA Atlantic Region Men's Track & Field Assistant Coach of the Year following both the 2009 and 2010 outdoor seasons. The Warriors sent their PSAC champion 4x100m relay to the NCAA Championships both years, claiming All-America honors in 2010, and Negus Graham was an All-American in the 400m both indoors and outdoors. Hurdler Rusty Smith was also a two-time indoor All-American under Merli in 2008 and 2009. Graham was a three-time All-American in the 400, won nine PSAC championships (five individual, four relays) and was a two-time PSAC Championships track and field MVP. ESU men's sprinters won seven of eight PSAC Championships track athlete of the meet awards from 2009 through 2012 in Chris Reddick (2009 indoors, 2010 indoors), Andrew McCloskey (2009 outdoors), Graham (2010 outdoors, 2011 indoors/outdoors) and Ian Melhorn (2012 indoors). In overall PSAC men's track athlete of the year awards, Reddick was selected in 2009 (indoors) and Graham was a three-time recipient (2009 outdoors, 2010 indoors/outdoors). Hurdler Steven Morgan was the 2014 PSAC men's outdoor freshman of the year. Sprinter Danielle Smith won eight PSAC titles in her career from 2012-15, the most in school history. She was the PSAC women's indoor and outdoor freshman of the year in 2012. Merli also handles the equipment and facilities needs for the team. He organizes the DeSchriver Invitational and All-American Meet at Koehler Fieldhouse and Eiler-Martin Stadium, respectively, and hires and supervises officials and other meet personnel. Under the direction of Merli and Joe Koch, ESU hosted 2015 PSAC Outdoor Championships at Eiler-Martin Stadium for the first time since 1985. Merli has USA Track & Field Level II certification. He was a head track and field coach at Red Bank (N.J.) Catholic and an assistant at Pocono Mountain high schools, and ran on four ACC championship teams at the University of Maryland. He is a 1975 graduate of Monmouth University. Merli and his wife, Theresa, have been married 39 years and have four children. 2016 outdoor - Derrick Washington (400), Steven Morgan (110H) 2015 outdoor - Derrick Washington (400), Steven Morgan (110H), Eric Conard (Dec), 4x400m Relay 2015 indoor - Steven Morgan (60H) 2014 outdoor - Steven Morgan (110H) 2013 outdoor - Damien Boham (400) 2013 indoor - 4x400m Relay 2012 outdoor - Dan Johnson (Dec), 4x100m Relay 2012 indoor - Ian Melhorn (200), Dan Johnson (Hept) 2011 outdoor - Asher Ashfield (100), Negus Graham (200, 400), 4x400m Relay 2011 indoor - Negus Graham (200, 400), 4x400m Relay 2010 outdoor - Andrew McCloskey (100), Negus Graham (400), Drew Miller (TJ), 4x100m Relay 2010 indoor - Chris Reddick (200), Drew Miller (TJ), 4x400m Relay 2009 outdoor - Andrew McCloskey (100, 200), Rusty Smith (110H), 4x100m Relay 2009 indoor - Chris Reddick (200), Rusty Smith (55H), Drew Miller (TJ) 2008 outdoor - Drew Miller (TJ), Kenny Cardullo (Pent) 2008 indoor - Drew Miller (TJ) 2015 indoor - Danielle Smith (200) 2014 indoor - Danielle Smith (60, 200), Theresa Horn (Pent) 2013 outdoor - Danielle Smith (100) 2013 indoor - Danielle Smith (60, 200) 2012 outdoor - Danielle Smith (100, 200) 2010 indoor - Lauren Ventrella (55H), Trina Carito (Pent) 2008 outdoor - Trina Carito (Hept) 2008 indoor - Trina Carito (TJ) 2007 indoor - Leslie Martin (Pent) 2012 outdoor - 2011 outdoor - Negus Graham (400) 2011 indoor - 2010 outdoor - , , Drew Miller (TJ, LJ) 2010 indoor - , Chris Reddick (200), Rusty Smith (60H), Drew Miller (TJ) 2009 outdoor - Andrew McCloskey (100), Rusty Smith (110H) 2009 indoor - 2008 outdoor - Drew Miller (TJ) 2008 indoor - , Drew Miller (TJ) 2011 indoor - Trina Carito (Pent) 2010 indoor - Trina Carito (Pent) 2009 outdoor - Jasmine Johnson (400) 2008 outdoor - Trina Carito (Hept) 2007 outdoor -

Karen (Way) Gaita, a former NCAA high jump champion and 1991 graduate of ESU, is in her 28th season as an assistant coach for the Warriors during the 2024-25 academic year. Gaita is regarded as one of the nation's most knowledgeable jumping coaches and has coached 23 PSAC Champions, 17 All-Americans and 24 national qualifiers since 2001. At the 2024 PSAC Outdoor Championships, Aaron Sanchez became the 23rd PSAC champion under Gaita as the junior secured the high jump title. Prior to the that, ESU returned to the top of the podium for the first time in five years in the high jump as Carlos Pepin captured the crown at the 2021 PSAC Outdoor Championships.  ESU continued its long run of PSAC success in the high jump under Gaita in 2017-18, with the Warriors combining for six top-eight finishes at the conference’s Indoor and Outdoor Championships. Junior Carly Gregas led the way individually, placing tied for third and earning All-PSAC status at both championship meets. Gaita’s daughter, Aspen, also had strong showings in the high jump while earning first team All-America accolades in the pentathlon (6th, indoors) and heptathlon (6th, outdoors). Aspen has broken seven ESU records in her first two years with the program. Gaita is a two-time recipient of the USTFCCCA Atlantic Region Women's Indoor Assistant Coach of the Year, earning recognition in 2014 and 2015. The ESU men won 7 of 10 PSAC high jump titles from 2012-16, with three different athletes taking conference championships - William Berry (2014, 2015 and 2016 outdoor; 2016 indoor), Seth Bailey (2013 outdoor, 2014 indoor) and Kyle Soden (2012 indoor). Berry earned second team All-America honors outdoors in 2015 and indoors in 2016, and he was ESU's first seven-foot jumper, clearing 7-0 1/2 at Kutztown in January 2016. Bailey, meanwhile, was ranked third nationally indoors in 2014. ESU's women also won 9 of 12 PSAC championships in the high jump from 2010-15, with Christina O'Connor winning five (including four straight in 2014 and 2015), and Lynn Mayer sweeping four straight in 2010 and 2011. O'Connor finished her career as a four-time All-American and five-time national qualifier. She was the USTFCCCA Women's Indoor Field Athlete of the Year as a senior in 2015, winning the PSAC title and tying a conference record with a mark of 5-10 that was originally set in 1977. Mayer, a 2011 graduate, was a six-time All-American to break Gaita's school record of four All-America honors. She was the national runner-up indoors and tied for third outdoors as a senior, tied for second indoors and tied for third outdoors in 2010 and also earned two All-America honors as a freshman in 2008. Janelle Smith, a 2010 graduate, was a four-time national qualifier and Leslie Martin was an All-American indoors in the high jump and outdoors in the heptathlon in 2008. In 2010, Gaita coached nine of the 16 PSAC placewinners in the women's high jump, as Mayer won both titles and Smith was the outdoor runner-up. Gaita was a four-time All-American at ESU and won the high jump at the 1991 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships with a leap of 5-9. She finished second in the 1991 NCAA indoor and 1990 outdoor meets and tied for fifth in the 1990 indoor meet. She also won three PSAC and five ECAC titles and is the ESU record holder at 5-10 outdoors and tied for second at 5-9 1/4 indoors. She qualified for the 1996 and 2000 U.S. Olympic trials and has a career best of 6-1 1/4. Gaita, also a former coach at Army, is a teacher in the Easton School District. She and her husband, Brian, have three daughters - Aspen, Riley and Giana. Recent PSAC Championships by ESU High Jumpers 2024 outdoor - Aaron Sanchez 2021 outdoor - Carlos Pepin 2016 outdoor - William Berry 2016 indoor - William Berry 2015 outdoor - William Berry 2014 outdoor - William Berry 2014 indoor - Seth Bailey 2013 outdoor - Seth Bailey 2012 indoor - Kyle Soden 2004 indoor - Mike Newhard 2003 indoor - Mike Newhard 2002 outdoor - Brad Fees 2002 indoor - Mike Newhard 2001 outdoor - Mike Newhard 2015 outdoor - Christina O'Connor 2015 indoor - Christina O'Connor 2014 outdoor - Christina O'Connor 2014 indoor - Christina O'Connor 2013 indoor - Christina O'Connor 2011 outdoor - Lynn Mayer 2011 indoor - Lynn Mayer 2010 outdoor - Lynn Mayer 2010 indoor - Lynn Mayer ECAC Indoor Championships 2001 - Brad Fees 2001 - Shavanna Ross Recent NCAA Qualifiers by ESU High Jumpers (All-Americans bold) 2016 indoor - William Berry 2015 outdoor - William Berry 2014 outdoor - William Berry 2014 indoor - Seth Bailey 2013 outdoor - Seth Bailey 2003 indoor - Mike Newhard, Brad Fees 2002 indoor - Mike Newhard 2001 outdoor - Mike Newhard 2015 outdoor - Christina O'Connor 2015 indoor - Christina O'Connor 2014 outdoor - Christina O'Connor 2014 indoor - Christina O'Connor 2013 indoor - Christina O'Connor 2011 outdoor - Lynn Mayer 2011 indoor - Lynn Mayer 2010 outdoor - Lynn Mayer, Janelle Smith 2010 indoor - Lynn Mayer 2009 outdoor - Lynn Mayer, Janelle Smith 2008 outdoor - Lynn Mayer, Janelle Smith 2008 indoor - Lynn Mayer, Janelle Smith 2007 outdoor - Leslie Martin 2007 indoor - Leslie Martin 2001 outdoor - Shavanna Ross 2001 indoor - Shavanna Ross  

Jim Morrison begins his 25th year as an assistant track and field coach at East Stroudsburg University in 2023-24, working primarily with the Warriors' throwers and multi-event athletes. In 2023-24, ESU throwers continued to flex their muscles as the Warriors combined for four PSAC titles at the indoor and outdoor championships as well as a trio of runner-up finishes. Cole Gorham highlighted the men's team as he became the 21st two-time All-American in program history after earning All-America First Team honors in the discus as well as All-America Second Team honors in the shot put at the NCAA Indoor & Outdoor Championships. Additionally, Gorham took home conference titles in the shot put (indoor) and discus while also breaking the all-time Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) record in the discus on April 19 at ESU's All-American Meet with a milestone mark of 57.55m (188-9). On the women's side, Samiyah Little secured the third PSAC weight throw title overall and first in program history since 2014 before becoming the first thrower in program history to record a first-place finish in the hammer at the conference meet. Gorham set new school records in the shot put (indoor) and discus, while Little shattered the program record in the weight throw. During the 2022-23 season, ESU throwers continued their success as the Warriors claimed five runner-up finishes at the PSAC Indoor/Outdoor Championships which included Elizabeth Makar (hammer, shot put, weight), Daryn Blackwell (hammer) and Zach Nissley (javelin). At the outdoor championships, the men's throwers totaled 42 points while the women's throwers registered 33 points across the four events. Makar continued to impress in her third season with the Warriors as the junior smashed her own school record in the hammer thrrow with a toss of 55.11m (180-8).  In 2021-22, Morrison helped elevate the throwers to new heights as the Warriors had three NCAA qualifiers, a PSAC champion, the Women's PSAC Athlete & Freshman of the Year during the indoor season, while also breaking five school records. In his lone season at ESU, Eric Garner qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Championships in the javelin, recording a 14th place finish. Freshman Cole Gorham made an immediate impact, surpassing a 42-year-old program record in the discus (170-1) at the All-American Meet while also setting the freshman record in the shot put (indoor).  On the women's side, Elizabeth Makar put together one of the best single-seasons in program history, earning Second Team All-America in the shot put at both the indoor and outdoor NCAA DII Championships. Makar was named the PSAC Athlete & Freshman of the Year in the indoor season while capturing the conference title in the shot put at the outdoor championships. She also set the school records in the shot put (indoor/outdoor) and hammer. Additionally, Isabella Marte eclipsed the program record in the discus with a throw of 144-1 at the conference championships.  Morrison has coached a number of record-setters and two All-America athletes in the hammer in Paul Wagner (2007-10) and Travis Toth (2012-14, 16). Makar became the latest record-setter under Morrison during the 2021 outdoor season when she broke a 42-year old record in the shot put. Makar eclipsed the previous program record set by Cheryl Baker in 1979 by two and a quarter inches with a throw of 45-3 3/4 at the Bill Butler Invitational.  Toth set the PSAC record (206-11) to finish fifth at the NCAA DII Championships in 2016 to close his career and was named the PSAC men's outdoor Athlete of the Year. Toth was a five-time national qualifier, four-time PSAC champion and three-time All-America - winning PSAC titles in the weight and hammer in 2014 and 2016 around a redshirt year in 2015, and claiming All-America status in the hammer (2014, 2016) and weight (2016, 2nd team).  Wagner earned All-America status in the hammer in 2009 and 2010 and won six PSAC titles, winning the weight throw indoors and hammer outdoors from 2008 through 2010. Wagner set ESU, PSAC championship and PSAC overall records in the weight (66-3 3/4) and hammer (203-2). On the women's side, Elizabeth Madden won PSAC titles in the weight throw as a junior and senior (2013, 2014) and Samiyah Little brought home the first crown in 10 years in 2024. Morrison has also coached four All-America javelin throwers in Matt Tholis (2013 national runner-up - school record 232-0, 2012), Josh Hontz (2013, 2011 national runner-up), Dan Gale (2004) and Barry Krammes (2002-03). Krammes has continued to compete, qualifying for the U.S. Olympic Trials in 2008 and 2012. ESU has had 20 national qualifiers in the javelin, 17 men and three women, since 2000, and Jenn Grube was an All-American in 2000 and 2001. At Manhattan, Morrison was a two-time Metropolitan Intercollegiate champion in the 35-pound weight throw and was also an IC4A qualifier. He was captain of the track team in 1982. Morrison has continued his career as a thrower in Master’s competitions and teaches physical education in Hackettstown High School in Hackettstown, N.J. He and his wife Mary reside in Dingman’s Ferry, Pa. and have three children - William, Erin and Mary Kate. Recent PSAC Championships by ESU Throwers 2024 outdoor - Cole Gorham (discus) 2024 indoor - Cole Gorham (Shot Put) 2021 outdoor - Dominic Walton (Shot Put) 2016 outdoor - Travis Toth (Hammer) 2016 indoor - Travis Toth (Weight) 2014 outdoor - Travis Toth (Hammer) 2014 indoor - Travis Toth (Weight) 2013 outdoor - Matt Tholis (Javelin) 2011 outdoor - Josh Hontz (Javelin) 2010 outdoor - Paul Wagner (Shot Put) 2010 outdoor - Paul Wagner (Hammer) 2010 indoor - Paul Wagner (Weight) 2010 indoor - Paul Wagner (Shot Put) 2009 outdoor - Paul Wagner (Hammer) 2009 indoor - Paul Wagner (Weight) 2008 outdoor - Paul Wagner (Hammer) 2008 indoor- Paul Wagner (Weight) 2024 outdoor - Samiyah Little (Hammer) 2024 indoor - Samiyah Little (Weight) 2022 outdoor - Elizabeth Makar (Shot Put) 2014 outdoor - Elizabeth Madden (Weight) 2013 outdoor - Elizabeth Madden (Weight) 2009 outdoor - Amanda Sines (Shot Put) 2007 indoor - Amanda Sines (Shot Put) Recent NCAA Qualifiers by ESU Throwers (All-Americans bold) 2024 outdoor - Cole Gorham (Discus) 2024 indoor - Cole Gorham (Shot Put) 2022 outdoor - Eric Garner (Javelin) 2020 indoor - Dominic Walton (Shot Put) 2016 outdoor - Travis Toth (Hammer) 2016 indoor - Travis Toth (Weight) 2014 outdoor - Travis Toth (Hammer) 2014 indoor - Travis Toth (Weight) 2013 outdoor - Matt Tholis (Javelin) 2013 outdoor - Josh Hontz (Javelin) 2013 outdoor - Travis Toth (Hammer) 2012 outdoor - Matt Tholis (Javelin) 2011 outdoor - Josh Hontz (Javelin) 2010 outdoor - Paul Wagner (Hammer) 2010 outdoor - Josh Hontz (Javelin) 2010 indoor - Paul Wagner (Weight) 2009 outdoor - Paul Wagner (Hammer) 2009 outdoor - Kenny Cardullo (Javelin) 2009 outdoor - Bill Buis (Javelin) 2009 indoor - Paul Wagner (Weight) 2008 outdoor - Kenny Cardullo (Javelin) 2007 outdoor - Kenny Cardullo (Javelin) 2006 outdoor - Dan Gale (Javelin) 2004 outdoor - Dan Gale (Javelin) 2004 outdoor - Barry Krammes (Javelin) 2003 outdoor - Barry Krammes (Javelin) 2003 outdoor - Dan Gale (Javelin) 2002 outdoor - Barry Krammes (Javelin) 2001 outdoor - David Dean (Javelin) 2022 outdoor - Elizabeth Makar (Shot Put) 2022 indoor - Elizabeth Makar (Shot Put) 2008 outdoor - Kahla Doran (Javelin) 2001 outdoor - Jenn Grube (Javelin) 2000 outdoor - Jenn Grube (Javelin)